Board game and method of play

Abstract

A game board and method of play wherein a particular jumping and capture method are used in accordance with the rules of play. In order to capture an opponent's pawn or playing piece, a player must first jump over his or her own pawn. The game board includes a central jumping zone with related rules of play. The game and methodology of play may be incorporated in computer and internet systems. The basic game rules are easily learned and yet the game requires a high degree of concentration and foresight to accomplish the various capture moves.

I claim:  
     
       1. A method of playing a board game using a board( 10 ) having at least two starting areas ( 11 , 13 ) wherein each starting area has twelve spaces therein, 
       wherein said board( 10 ) has inactive corner areas( 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ) and a central jumping zone comprising plural spaces means( 30 ) used for jumping movements during the game play,  
       wherein an opponent's piece or pawn( 45 ) may only be jumped and captured by a player's pawn( 40 ) by first jumping the player's own pawn( 41 ) and movement into an empty space( 50 ) and then jumping the opponent's pawn( 45 ) and movement into an empty space( 51 ),  
       wherein to use the jumping zone spaces( 30 ) a piece or pawn( 60 ) must first jump over his/her own piece or pawn( 61 ) and into an empty space( 70 ) which is adjacent to one of said jumping zone spaces( 30 ).  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said central jumping spaces( 30 ) are arranged in a generally X-shaped configuration. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the central jumping zone comprises eight spaces. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the board( 10 ) includes four starting areas( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) for use by four players and wherein the board may be used for team play.